Microwave power applications

TLDR

Microwave power applications, though underrepresented in IEEE literature, have become ubiquitous through the microwave oven and, thanks to advances in low‑cost sources, now support a growing array of commercial and industrial uses, though hazard perception and interference remain potential barriers. The authors aim to expand microwave power use into comfort heating for humans and animals and diverse transmission systems, emphasizing the need for cross‑industry collaboration to overcome safety and interference challenges. The technology has proven most effective in the food sector for meat tempering and cooking, and also in plasma‑discharge devices for UV curing and lighting.

Abstract

The field of microwave power applications is little recognized within the publications of the IEEE, yet it represents the most universal connection of microwave technology to the everyday life of people worldwide through the microwave oven. The technology of efficient low-cost microwave power sources has progressed not only to permit the economic feasibility of the microwave oven, but also a growing myriad of other commercial and industrial applications. The most successful of these is in the food industry for meat tempering and cooking. Other successful applications include plasma discharge devices for UV curing and lighting. In the future, applications to comfort heating of man and animals and various microwave power transmissions are foreseen. Problems of hazard perception and interference are now recognized as potential impediments to accelerated progress. The resolution of these problems requires cooperation between various parties, including the power application industries and the wireless communication industries.